Methods and apparatus for performing measurements on an ultrasound image

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the technology described herein include a processing device configured to display, on a touch-sensitive display screen of a processing device in operative communication with an ultrasound device, an ultrasound image, a movable measurement tool, and an icon that maintains a fixed distance from a portion of the measurement tool. The icon may be configured to modify the measurement tool, and the icon may not overlap the measurement tool.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Patent Application Ser. No. 62/750,348, filed Oct. 25, 2018, andentitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING MEASUREMENTS ON ANULTRASOUND IMAGE”, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

FIELD

Generally, the aspects of the technology described herein relate toultrasound data collection and analysis.

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound systems may be used to perform diagnostic imaging and/ortreatment sound waves with frequencies that are higher with respect tothose audible to humans. Ultrasound imaging may be used to see internalsoft tissue body structures, for example to find a source of disease orto exclude any pathology. When pulses of ultrasound are transmitted intotissue (e.g., by using a pulser in an ultrasound imaging device), soundwaves are reflected off the tissue, with different tissues reflectingvarying degrees of sound. These reflected sound waves may then berecorded and displayed as an ultrasound image to the operator. Thestrength (amplitude) of the sound signal and the time it takes for thewave to travel through the body provide information used to produce theultrasound image. Many different types of images can be formed usingultrasound systems, including real-time images. For example, images canbe generated that show two-dimensional cross-sections of tissue, bloodflow, motion of tissue over time, the location of blood, the presence ofspecific molecules, the stiffness of tissue, or the anatomy of athree-dimensional region.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a method includes displaying, on atouch-sensitive display screen of a processing device in operativecommunication with an ultrasound device: an ultrasound image, a movablemeasurement tool, and an icon that maintains a fixed distance from aportion of the measurement tool, where the icon is configured to modifythe measurement tool, and the icon does not overlap the measurementtool.

In some embodiments, the measurement tool comprises a line, the iconmaintains the fixed distance from an endpoint of the line, and the iconis configured to control a position of the endpoint of the line. In someembodiments, the measurement tool comprises an ellipse, the iconmaintains the fixed distance from a vertex of the ellipse, and the iconis configured to control a length of an axis of the ellipse thatincludes the vertex. In some embodiments, the measurement tool comprisesan ellipse, the icon maintains the fixed distance from a vertex of theellipse, and the icon is configured to control a rotation of theellipse.

According to another aspect, a method includes displaying, on atouch-sensitive display screen of a processing device in operativecommunication with an ultrasound device: an ultrasound image, a lineextending between a first endpoint and a second endpoint, and an iconlocated a fixed distance from the first endpoint along a directiondefined by the line; detecting a dragging movement covering a distancein a horizontal direction and/or a distance in a vertical directionacross the touch-sensitive display screen, wherein the dragging movementbegins on or within a threshold distance of the icon; displaying thefirst endpoint at a new location on the touch-sensitive display screenthat is removed from the endpoint's previous location by the distance inthe horizontal direction and/or the distance in the vertical direction;displaying the icon at a new location on the touch-sensitive displayscreen that is removed from the new location of the first endpoint bythe fixed distance along the direction defined by the line; andperforming a measurement on the ultrasound image based on the line.

According to another aspect, a method includes displaying, on atouch-sensitive display screen of a processing device in operativecommunication with an ultrasound device, an ultrasound image and a lineextending between a first endpoint and a second endpoint; detecting adragging movement covering a distance in a horizontal direction and/or adistance in a vertical direction across the touch-sensitive displayscreen, wherein the dragging movement begins on or within a thresholddistance of the line; displaying the first endpoint and the secondendpoint of the line at new locations on the touch-sensitive displayscreen that are removed from their previous locations by the distance inthe horizontal direction and/or the distance in the vertical direction;and performing a measurement on the ultrasound image based on the line.

According to another aspect, a method includes displaying, on atouch-sensitive display screen of a processing device in operativecommunication with an ultrasound device: an ultrasound image; an ellipsehaving an axis that is either a major axis or a minor axis of theellipse, wherein the axis extends between a first vertex and a secondvertex of the ellipse; and an icon located a fixed distance from thefirst vertex along a direction defined by the axis; detecting a draggingmovement covering a distance along the direction defined by the axis ofthe ellipse across the touch-sensitive display screen, wherein thedragging movement begins on or within a threshold distance of the icon;displaying the first vertex at a new location on the touch-sensitivedisplay screen that is removed from the first vertex's previous locationby the distance along the direction defined by the axis of the ellipse;displaying the second vertex at a new location on the touch-sensitivedisplay screen that is removed from the second vertex's previouslocation by the distance along the direction defined by the axis of theellipse; displaying the icon at a new location on the touch-sensitivedisplay screen that is removed from the first vertex's new location bythe fixed distance along the direction defined by the axis of theellipse; and performing a measurement on the ultrasound image based onthe ellipse.

According to another aspect, a method includes displaying, on atouch-sensitive display screen of a processing device in operativecommunication with an ultrasound device: an ultrasound image; an ellipsehaving an axis that is either a major axis or a minor axis of theellipse, wherein the axis extends between a first vertex and a secondvertex of the ellipse; and an icon located a fixed distance from thefirst vertex along a direction defined by the axis; detecting a draggingmovement covering a distance along and/or a distance orthogonal to thedirection defined by the axis of the ellipse across the touch-sensitivedisplay screen, wherein the dragging movement begins on or within athreshold distance of the icon; displaying the first vertex and thesecond vertex at new locations on the touch-sensitive display screenthat are rotated from their previous locations based on the distancethat is along and/or the distance orthogonal to the direction defined bythe axis of the ellipse; displaying the icon at a new location on thetouch-sensitive display screen that is removed from the first vertex'snew location by the fixed distance along the direction defined by theaxis of the ellipse; and performing a measurement on the ultrasoundimage based on the ellipse.

According to another aspect, a method includes displaying, on atouch-sensitive display screen of a processing device in operativecommunication with an ultrasound device: an ultrasound image; an ellipsehaving an axis that is either a major axis or a minor axis of theellipse, wherein the axis extends between a first vertex and a secondvertex of the ellipse; and an icon located a fixed distance from thefirst vertex along a direction defined by the axis; detecting a draggingmovement covering distance in a horizontal direction and/or a distancein a vertical direction across the touch-sensitive display screen,wherein the dragging movement begins in an interior of the ellipse orwithin a threshold distance of a boundary of the ellipse; displaying thefirst vertex and the second vertex at new locations on thetouch-sensitive display screen that are removed from their previouslocations by the distance in the horizontal direction and/or thedistance in the vertical direction; and performing a measurement on theultrasound image based on the ellipse.

According to another aspect, a method of operating a processing deviceconfigured to display ultrasound images includes displaying anultrasound image on a display screen of the processing device;displaying a measurement tool overlay on the ultrasound image, themeasurement tool overlay comprising a target point; displaying, on thedisplay screen, a touch-sensitive measurement tool control iconcorresponding to the target point; and in response to receiving touchinput to the display screen, moving the target point and thetouch-sensitive measurement tool control icon while maintaining a fixeddistance between them. In some embodiments, the touch-sensitivemeasurement tool control icon does not overlap the measurement tooloverlay.

Some aspects include at least one non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium storing processor-executable instructions that, whenexecuted by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor toperform the above aspects and embodiments. Some aspects include anultrasound system having a processing device configured to perform theabove aspects and embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects and embodiments of the application will be describedwith reference to the following figures. It should be appreciated thatthe figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Items appearing inmultiple figures are indicated by the same reference number in all thefigures in which they appear.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example graphical user interface (GUI) that may bedisplayed on a touch-sensitive display screen of a processing device inan ultrasound system, in accordance with certain embodiments describedherein. The GUI includes a line for performing a measurement on anultrasound image;

FIG. 2 illustrates another example of the graphical user interface ofFIG. 1 , in accordance with certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 3 illustrates another example of the graphical user interface ofFIG. 1 , in accordance with certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of the graphical user interface ofFIG. 1 , in accordance with certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates another example of the graphical user interface ofFIG. 1 , in accordance with certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example graphical user interface that may bedisplayed on a touch-sensitive display screen of a processing device inan ultrasound system, in accordance with certain embodiments describedherein. The GUI includes an ellipse for performing a measurement on anultrasound image;

FIG. 7 illustrates another example of the graphical user interface ofFIG. 6 , in accordance with certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 8 illustrates another example of the graphical user interface ofFIG. 6 , in accordance with certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 9 illustrates another example of the graphical user interface ofFIG. 6 , in accordance with certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 10 illustrates another example of the graphical user interface ofFIG. 6 , in accordance with certain embodiments described herein;

FIG. 11 illustrates a method for determining how much to rotate anellipse based on a dragging movement, in accordance with certainembodiments described herein;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example GUI that may be shown when ultrasounddata is being collected, in accordance with certain embodimentsdescribed herein;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example GUI that may be shown upon selection of afreeze option from the GUI of FIG. 12 , in accordance with certainembodiments described herein;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example GUI that may be shown upon selection of ameasurement option from FIG. 1 :3, in accordance with certainembodiments described herein;

FIG. 15 illustrates an example process for performing measurements on anultrasound image based on a line, in accordance with certain embodimentsdescribed herein;

FIG. 16 illustrates an example process for performing measurements on anultrasound image based on a line, in accordance with certain embodimentsdescribed herein;

FIG. 17 illustrates an example process for performing measurements on anultrasound image based on a line, in accordance with certain embodimentsdescribed herein;

FIG. 18 illustrates an example process for performing measurements on anultrasound image based on a line, in accordance with certain embodimentsdescribed herein;

FIG. 19 illustrates an example process for performing measurements on anultrasound image based on a line, in accordance with certain embodimentsdescribed herein;

FIG. 20 illustrates a schematic block diagram illustrating aspects of anexample ultrasound system upon which various aspects of the technologydescribed herein may be practiced; and

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram illustrating aspects of anotherexample ultrasound system upon which various aspects of the technologydescribed herein may be practiced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Conventional ultrasound systems are large, complex, and expensivesystems that are typically only purchased by large medical facilitieswith significant financial resources. Recently, cheaper and less complexultrasound imaging devices have been introduced. Such imaging devicesmay include ultrasonic transducers monolithically integrated onto asingle semiconductor die to form a monolithic ultrasound device. Aspectsof such ultrasound-on-a-chip devices are described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/415,434 titled “UNIVERSAL ULTRASOUND DEVICE ANDRELATED APPARATUS AND METHODS,” filed on Jan. 25, 2017 (and assigned tothe assignee of the instant application) and published as U.S. Pat. Pub.No. US-2017-0360397-A1, which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety. Such an ultrasound device may be in operative communicationwith a processing device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, having atouch-sensitive display screen. The processing device may displayultrasound images generated from ultrasound data collected by theultrasound device.

The inventors have developed technology for assisting a user inperforming measurements on an ultrasound image depicted by thetouch-sensitive display screen of a processing device. Performingmeasurements may include modifying the position, orientation, and/orshape of a measurement tool such as a line or ellipse displayed on theultrasound image to perform calculations of spatial length or spatialarea represented by the ultrasound image. The technology includes iconsthat are displayed a fixed distance from certain portions of a line oran ellipse, and which in some embodiments do not overlap with anyportion of the line or ellipse. The icons may be used to modify themeasurement tool. For example, to modify the location of an endpoint ofa line, a user may perform a dragging movement across thetouch-sensitive display screen that begins on an icon located a fixeddistance from the endpoint. The processing device may change thelocation of the endpoint by a distance corresponding to the distancecovered by the dragging movement. The processing device may update,based on the dragging movement, the location of the endpoint at asufficiently high rate such that the endpoint appears to follow thedragging movement as the dragging movement proceeds. In other words, ifa user touches his/her finger to the icon and drags his/her fingeracross the touch-sensitive display screen, the endpoint may appear tofollow the user's finger. Because changing the location of the endpointmay be initiated in this example by the user touching his/her finger tothe icon, which may be located a fixed distance away from the endpoint,the endpoint may be removed from the user's finger by the fixed distanceas the user drags his/her finger across the touch-sensitive displayscreen. Thus, as the user drags his/her finger, the endpoint may bevisible to the user, and the user may be able to determine when theendpoint has moved to the desired location and release his/her fingerfrom the touch-sensitive display to cause the endpoint to remain in thedesired location. Additionally, as described above, in some embodimentsthe icon may not overlap with any portion of the line, which may furtherhelp the user to determine, as s/he drags his/her finger, when the linehas been positioned as desired.

It should be appreciated that the embodiments described herein may beimplemented in any of numerous ways. Examples of specificimplementations are provided below for illustrative purposes only. Itshould be appreciated that these embodiments and thefeatures/capabilities provided may be used individually, all together,or in any combination of two or more, as aspects of the technologydescribed herein are not limited in this respect.

While the description below includes certain methods that a processingdevice may use to cause a given result to occur, a processing device mayimplement different methods in order to cause the same result to occur.In particular, code designed to cause the result to occur may implementa different method to cause the result to occur than those described.

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate example graphical user interfaces that may bedisplayed on a touch-sensitive display screen of a processing device inan ultrasound system, in accordance with certain embodiments describedherein. FIGS. 1-5 illustrate examples GUIs that include a line forperforming a measurement on an ultrasound image. FIGS. 6-10 illustrateexample GUIs that include an ellipse for performing a measurement on anultrasound image. The processing device may be in operativecommunication with an ultrasound device. Ultrasound systems and devicesare described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 20-21 .

FIG. 1 illustrates an example GUI 100 that includes a line 102, a firsticon 104, a second icon 106, a first crosshairs 108, a second crosshairs110, a measurement value indicator 112, a delete option 114, and anultrasound image 120.

The line 102 extends between a first endpoint 116 and a second endpoint118. The first crosshairs 108 may help to visually highlight thelocation of the first endpoint 116 and the second crosshairs 110 mayhelp to visually highlight the location of the second endpoint 118. Theline 102 is superimposed on the ultrasound image 120 and may be used toperform a length measurement on the ultrasound image 120. In particular,the processing device may perform a calculation of the spatial lengthrepresented by the ultrasound image 120 between the first endpoint 116and the second endpoint 118. The processing device may receiveinformation from the ultrasound device indicating that the ultrasoundimage 120 was collected from an area having a certain size. Theprocessing device may use this information to determine the spatial sizerepresented by each pixel and thereby determine the spatial lengthrepresented by the line 102. (Similar methods may be used formeasurements of spatial length and area using an ellipse, as describedbelow). The spatial length represented by the ultrasound image 120between the first endpoint 116 and the second endpoint 118 is depictedby the measurement value indicator 112. The user may cause theprocessing device to modify the locations of the first endpoint 116and/or the second endpoint 118 on the GUI 100. For example, the user maycause the processing device to modify the locations of the firstendpoint 116 and/or the second endpoint 118 to coincide with endpointsof a particular anatomical structure visible in the ultrasound image 120if the user desires to measure the distance between the endpoints of theanatomical structure. The processing device may update the measurementvalue indicator 112 based on the new distance between the first endpoint116 and the second endpoint 118. The processing device may remove theline 102, the first icon 104, and the second icon 106 from thetouch-sensitive display in response to a user selection of the deleteoption 114.

In FIG. 1 , the first icon 104 and the second icon 106 are circular,although other forms are possible. Additionally, in FIG. 1 , no portionof the first icon 104 or the second icon 106 overlaps the line 102.However, in some embodiments, a portion of the first icon 104 or thesecond icon 106 may overlap the line 102.

The inventors have developed technology for assisting a user inmodifying the locations of the first endpoint 116 and/or the secondendpoint 118 (and thereby modifying the position and/or orientation ofthe line 102) using a touch-sensitive display screen. The technologyincludes display of the first icon 104 and the second icon 106. Thefirst icon 104 is positioned a fixed distance 122 from the firstendpoint 116. The second icon 106 is positioned the fixed distance 122from the second endpoint 118. In some embodiments, the fixed distance122 may be a predetermined distance. In some embodiments, the fixeddistance 122 may be a default distance. In some embodiments, the fixeddistance 122 may be selected by a user. In some embodiments, an iconbeing positioned a fixed distance from some feature (e.g., an endpointof the line 102) may mean that the center of the icon is positioned thefixed distance from the feature. In some embodiments, the fixed distancebetween the first icon 104 and the first endpoint 116 and the fixeddistance between the second icon 106 and the second endpoint 118 may notbe the same.

The processing device may change the location of the first endpoint 116based on a dragging movement on the touch-sensitive display screen thatbegins on or within a threshold distance of the first icon 104. Adragging movement may include, for example, a user touching his/herfinger to the touch-sensitive display and dragging his/her finger to adifferent location on the touch-sensitive display screen. The processingdevice may change the location of the second endpoint 118 based on adragging movement on the touch-sensitive display screen that begins onor within a threshold distance of the second icon 106. In particular, ifa drag that begins on or within a threshold distance of the first icon104 covers a certain distance in the horizontal direction and/or acertain distance in the vertical direction, the processing device maychange the location of the first endpoint 116 by that same distance inthe horizontal direction and/or distance in the vertical direction. (Adrag that covers a certain distance in a certain direction need not meanthat the drag actually proceeded along that direction, but rather thanthe drag had a component along that direction. For example, a drag in anarbitrary direction across a touch-sensitive display screen may have acomponent along the horizontal direction and a component along thevertical direction of the touch-sensitive display screen). If a dragthat begins on or within a threshold distance of the second icon 106covers a certain distance in the horizontal direction and/or a certaindistance in the vertical direction, the processing device may change thelocation of the second endpoint 118 by that same distance in thehorizontal direction and/or distance in the vertical direction.

For example, consider the touch-sensitive display screen having an arrayof pixels, each pixel having a location that is x pixels in thehorizontal direction and a location that is y pixels in the verticallocation, where x and y are measured from an origin (e.g., a corner ofthe touch-sensitive display screen). Consider further that the firstendpoint is located at e1 x, e1 y). When the user performs a draggingmovement on the touch-sensitive display screen that begins at a startinglocation (d1 x, d1 y) on or within a threshold distance of the firsticon 104 and ends at an ending location (d2 x, d2 y), the processingdevice may change the location of the first endpoint 116 such that thefirst endpoint 116 is displayed at (e1 x−(d2 x−d1 x), e1 y+(d2 y−d1 y)).The processing device may similarly change the location of the secondendpoint 118 based on a drag that begins at or within a thresholddistance of the second icon 106. Once the processing device hasdisplayed the first endpoint 116 and/or the second endpoint 118 in a newlocation, the processing device may display the rest of the line 102between the first endpoint 116 and/or the second endpoint 118. In someembodiments, the processing device may use the Cartesian equation for aline to determine locations for points along the line that are notendpoints.

The processing device may update, based on a dragging movement, thelocation of the first endpoint 116 at a sufficiently high rate such thatthe first endpoint 116 appears to follow the dragging movement as thedragging movement proceeds. In other words, if a user touches his/herfinger to the first icon 104 and drags his/her finger across thetouch-sensitive display screen, the first endpoint 116 may appear tofollow the user's finger. Because changing the location of the firstendpoint 116 may be initiated in this example by the user touchinghis/her finger to the first icon 104, which may be located a fixeddistance away from the first endpoint 116, the first endpoint 116 may beremoved from the user's finger by the fixed distance as the user dragshis/her finger across the touch-sensitive display screen. Thus, as theuser drain his/her finger, the first endpoint 116 may be visible to theuser, and the user may be able to determine when the first endpoint 116has moved to the desired location and release his/her finger from thetouch-sensitive display to cause the first endpoint 116 to remain in thedesired location. The same discussion applies to the second endpoint 118and the second icon 106.

After a dragging movement that begins at or within a threshold distanceof the first icon 104, the processing device may change the location ofthe first icon 104 such that the first icon 104 is displayed a fixeddistance from the first endpoint 116 along a direction defined by theline 102. After a dragging movement that begins at or within a thresholddistance of the second icon 106, the processing device may change thelocation of the second icon 106 such that the second icon 106 isdisplayed a fixed distance from the second endpoint 118 along adirection defined by the line 102 (i.e., the direction defined by theline 102 after the location of the first endpoint 116 and/or thelocation of the second endpoint 118 has changed). For example, considerthat after the dragging movement, the first endpoint 116 is located at(e1 x, e1 y), the second endpoint 118 is located at (e2 x, e2 y), andthe fixed distance is d. The new location (i1 x, i1 y) of the first icon104 may satisfy the two equations sqrt((i1 x−e1 x){circumflex over( )}2+(i1 y−e1 y){circumflex over ( )}2)=d and (i1 y−e1 y)/(i1 x−e1x)=(e1 y−e2 y)/(e1 x−e2 x). It should be noted that there may be twosets of solutions for these two equations, and the solution chosen maybe the one where (i1 y, i1 x) does not coincide with the line 102,meaning that i1 x is not between e1 x and e2 x, and i1 y is not betweene1 y and e2 y. The processing device may similarly change the locationof the second icon 106 based on a new position of the second endpoint118.

In some embodiments, in response to a dragging movement beginning on anicon and covering a distance in the horizontal direction and/or adistance in the vertical direction, the processing device may change thelocation of the icon by the distance in the horizontal direction and/orthe distance in the vertical direction equivalent to the distance in thehorizontal direction and/or a distance in the vertical direction coveredby the dragging movement, and change the location of the correspondingendpoint to be a fixed distance from the icon's new position along adirection defined by the line. In some embodiments, in response to adragging movement beginning on an icon and covering a distance in thehorizontal direction and/or a distance in the vertical direction, theprocessing device may change the location of both the endpoint and theicon by the distance in the horizontal direction and/or the distance inthe vertical direction equivalent to the distance in the horizontaldirection and/or a distance in the vertical direction covered by thedragging movement.

In some embodiments, the processing device may remove the first icon 104from display during a dragging movement that begins at the first icon104 and remove the second icon 106 from display during a draggingmovement that begins at the second icon 106. This may help the user tounderstand that the measurement will be performed based on the line 102and not based on either the first icon 104 or the second icon 106. Inother words, this may help the user to understand that the line 102 doesnot extend to the first icon 104 or the second icon 106. However, inother embodiments, the processing device may continue to display thefirst icon 104 and the second icon 106 during a dragging movement thatbegins at the first icon 104 or the second icon 106, respectively.

FIG. 2 illustrates the example graphical user interface (GUI) 100 aftera dragging movement beginning on or within a threshold distance of thefirst icon 104. Prior to the dragging movement, the GUI 100 may haveappeared as shown in FIG. 1 . The processing device has changed thelocation of the first endpoint 116 from its location in FIG. 1 . Asdescribed above, the processing device may have changed the location ofthe first endpoint 116 by a distance in the horizontal direction and/ora distance in the vertical direction equivalent to the distance in thehorizontal direction and/or the distance in the vertical directioncovered by the dragging movement. The processing device has displayedthe rest of the line 102 between the new location of the first endpoint116 and the previous location of the second endpoint 118. The processingdevice has also changed the location of the first icon 104 from itslocation in FIG. 1 to be the fixed distance 122 away from the firstendpoint 116 along a direction defined by the line 102. It should benoted that the processing device has changed the measurement valuedepicted by the measurement value indicator 112 in FIG. 2 from thatshown in FIG. 1 based on the change in length of the line 102 from FIG.1 to FIG. 2 .

FIG. 3 illustrates the example graphical user interface (GUI) 100 aftera dragging movement beginning on or within a threshold distance of thesecond icon 106. Prior to the dragging movement, the GUI 100 may haveappeared as shown in FIG. 2 . The processing device has changed thelocation of the second endpoint 118 from its location in FIG. 1 . Asdescribed above, the processing device may have changed the location ofthe second endpoint 118 by a distance in the horizontal direction and/ora distance in the vertical direction equivalent to the distance in thehorizontal direction and/or the distance in the vertical directioncovered by the dragging movement. The processing device has displayedthe rest of the line 102 between the new location of the second endpoint118 and the previous location of the first endpoint 116. The processingdevice has also changed the location of the second icon 106 from itslocation in FIG. 2 to be the fixed distance 122 away from the secondendpoint 118 along a direction defined by the line 102. It should benoted that the processing device has changed the measurement valuedepicted by the measurement value indicator 112 in FIG. 3 from thatshown in FIG. 2 based on the change in length of the line 102 from FIG.2 to FIG. 3 .

In some embodiments, the processing device may change the position ofboth the first endpoint 116 and the second endpoint 118 based on adragging movement that begins on or within a threshold distance of anyportion of the line 102. When the user performs a dragging movement onthe touch-sensitive display screen that begins at a starting location(d1 x, d1 y) on or within a threshold distance of the line 102 and endsat an ending location (d2 x, d2 y), the processing device may change thelocations of both the first endpoint 116 and the second endpoint 118 bya distance of (d2 x−d1 x, d2 y−d1 y). The processing device may alsochange the locations of the first icon 104 and the second icon 106 suchthat they are the fixed distance 122 away from the first endpoint 116and the second endpoint 118, respectively, along the direction of theline 102. Once the processing device has displayed the first endpoint116 and the second endpoint 118 in new locations, the processing devicemay display the rest of the line 102 between the new locations of thefirst endpoint 116 and the second endpoint 118. In some embodiments, theprocessing device may use the Cartesian equation for a line to determinelocations for points along the line 102 between the first endpoint 116and the second endpoint 118. In some embodiments, the processing devicemay change the locations of all displayed points along the line 102 by adistance of (d2 x−d1 x, d2 y−d1 y).

FIG. 4 illustrates the example graphical user interface (GUI) 100 aftera dragging movement beginning on or within a threshold distance of theline 102. Prior to the dragging movement, the GUI 100 may have appearedas shown in FIG. 3 . The processing device has changed the location ofthe line from its location in FIG. 3 . As described above, theprocessing device may have changed the location of the first endpoint116 and the second endpoint 118 by a distance in the horizontaldirection and/or a distance in the vertical direction equivalent to thedistance in the horizontal direction and/or the distance in the verticaldirection covered by the dragging movement. The processing device hasdisplayed the rest of the line 102 between the new locations of thefirst endpoint 116 and the second endpoint 118. The processing devicehas also changed the locations of the first icon 104 and the second icon106 from their locations in FIG. 3 to be the fixed distance 122 awayfrom the first endpoint 116 and the second endpoint 116, respectively,along a direction defined by the line 102.

FIG. 5 illustrates the example graphical user interface (GUI) 100 duringa dragging movement beginning on or within a threshold distance of thefirst icon 104. The GUI 100 in FIG. 5 is similar to that shown in FIG. 2, with the addition of an inset 524. The inset 524 depicts amagnification of a portion 526 of the ultrasound image 120. Inparticular, the inset 524 depicts a portion 526 of the ultrasound image120 that is proximal to the first endpoint 116. The inset 524 furtherdepicts the first endpoint 116, the first crosshairs 108, and a portionof the line 102 that is within the portion 526 of the ultrasound image120. The processing device may display the inset 524 when the userbegins a dragging movement and continue to display the inset 524 as theuser continues the dragging movement. Because the inset 524 illustratesthe magnified portion 526 of the ultrasound image 120 that is proximalto the first endpoint 116, the user may use the inset 524 to determinehow to perform the dragging movement in order to change the location ofthe first endpoint 116 to the desired location on the ultrasound image120, and also to determine when the first endpoint 116 is at the desiredlocation. If the user begins a dragging movement on or within athreshold distance of the second icon 106, the processing device maydisplay the inset 524 and show a magnified portion (not shown in FIG. 5) of the ultrasound image 120 that is proximal to the second endpoint118, and the inset 524 may also depict the second endpoint 118, thesecond crosshairs 110, and a portion of the line 102 that is within theportion of the ultrasound image 120 depicted by the inset 524. It shouldbe noted that in FIG. 5 , in contrast to FIG. 2 , the processing devicedoes not display the first icon 104 during the dragging movement thatbegan on or within a threshold distance of the first icon 104. However,in some embodiments, the processing may display the first icon 104during the dragging movement. In some embodiments, the processing devicemay not display the inset 524 during a dragging movement.

It should be understood that in some embodiments, certain portions ofthe GUI 100 may be absent. For example, the first crosshairs 108, thesecond crosshairs 110, and/or the delete option 114 may be absent. Insome embodiments, the measurement value indicator 112 may have adifferent form than shown and/or be located at a different location onthe touch-sensitive display screen. Additionally, while the GUI 100shows certain other features that are not described herein (e.g.,certain buttons or indicators), in some embodiments such features may beabsent or different.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example graphical user interface (GUI) 600 thatincludes an ellipse 638, a first icon 640, a second icon 662, a firstmeasurement value indicator 656, a second measurement value indicator658, a delete option 660, and an ultrasound image 120. The second icon662 includes a first arrow 652 and a second arrow 654.

The ellipse 638 includes a center location 664, a first axis 674, and asecond axis 676. The first axis 674 extends between two endpoints,namely a first vertex 642 and a second vertex 644 of the ellipse 638.The second axis 676 extends between two endpoints, namely a third vertex646 and a fourth vertex 648 of the ellipse 638. The first axis 674 andthe second axis 676 may be equivalent to the major axis and the minoraxis of the ellipse, or vice versa. It should be appreciated that theellipse 638 may be a circle. The ellipse 638 is superimposed on theultrasound image 120 and may be used by the processing device to performa measurement on the ultrasound image 120. In FIG. 6 , the processingdevice displays the value of the spatial length represented by theultrasound image 120 along the circumference of the ellipse 638 with thefirst measurement value indicator 656 and the processing device displaysthe value of the spatial area represented by the ultrasound image 120within the ellipse 638 with the second measurement value indicator 658.The user may cause the processing device to modify the ellipse (e.g.,the position, orientation, and/or shape of the ellipse). For example,the user may cause the processing device to modify the ellipse tocoincide with a particular anatomical structure visible in theultrasound image 120 if the user desires to measure the circumference orarea of the anatomical structure as depicted by the ultrasound image120.

The inventors have developed technology for assisting a user inmodifying the position, orientation, and shape of the ellipse 638 usinga touch-sensitive display screen. The technology includes display of thefirst icon 640 and the second icon 662. The processing device displaysthe first icon 640 a fixed distance 650 from the first vertex 642. Theprocessing device displays the second icon 662 the fixed distance 650from the fourth vertex 648. In some embodiments, the fixed distance 650may be a predetermined distance. In some embodiments, the fixed distance650 may be a default distance. In some embodiments, the fixed distance650 may be selected by a user. In some embodiments, an icon beingpositioned a fixed distance from some feature (e.g., a vertex of theellipse 638) may mean that the center of the icon is positioned thefixed distance from the feature. In some embodiments, the fixed distancebetween the first icon 640 and the first vertex 642 and the fixeddistance between the second icon 662 and the third vertex 646 may not bethe same.

In FIG. 6 , the first icon 640 and the second icon 662 are circular,although other forms are possible. Additionally, in FIG. 6 , no portionof the first icon 640 or the second icon 662 overlaps the ellipse 638.However, in some embodiments, a portion of the first icon 640 or thesecond icon 662 may overlap the ellipse 638.

The processing device may change the length of the first axis 674 basedon a dragging movement on the touch-sensitive display screen that beginson or within a threshold distance of the first icon 640. In particular,if the drag that begins on or within a threshold distance of the firsticon 640 covers a certain distance away from the ellipse 638 along thedirection defined by the first axis 674, the processing device maychange the locations of the first vertex 642 and the second vertex 644by that same distance away from the ellipse along the direction definedby the first axis 674. In other words, the processing device may expandthe first axis 674 of the ellipse 638 by two times the distance alongthe direction defined by the first axis 674. If the drag that begins onor within a threshold distance of the first icon 640 covers a certaindistance towards from the ellipse 638 along the direction defined by thefirst axis 674, the processing device may change the locations of thefirst vertex 642 and the second vertex 644 by that same distance towardsfrom the ellipse along the direction defined by the first axis 674. Inother words, the processing device may contract the first axis 674 ofthe ellipse 638 by two times the distance along the direction defined bythe first axis 674. The processing device may similarly change thelength of the second axis 676 based on a dragging movement on thetouch-sensitive display screen that begins on or within a thresholddistance of the second icon 662. The processing device may display otherpoints along the ellipse 638 based on new lengths of the first axis 674and/or the second axis 676. For example, the processing device maydetermine new locations for other points along the ellipse 638 based onthe Cartesian equation for an ellipse 638. In some embodiments, todisplay the ellipse 638 based on the Cartesian equation for an ellipse638, the processing device may only use the center location 664 of theellipse, one of the first vertex 642 and the second vertex 644, and oneof the third vertex 646 and the fourth vertex 648.

Consider the touch-sensitive display screen having an array of pixels,each pixel having a location that is x pixels in the horizontaldirection and a location that is y pixels in the vertical location,where x and y are measured from an origin (e.g., a corner of thetouch-sensitive display screen). For simplicity, assume the first axis674 of the ellipse 638 is parallel to the vertical direction of thetouch-sensitive display and the second axis 676 of the ellipse isparallel to the horizontal direction of the touch-sensitive display.Consider further that the first vertex 642 is located at (v1 x, v1 y),the second vertex 644 is located at (v2 x, v2 y), and the first icon islocated at (i1 x, i1 y). When the user performs a dragging movement onthe touch-sensitive display screen that begins at a starting location(d1 x, d1 y) on or within a threshold distance of the first icon 640 andends at an ending location (d2 x, d2 y), the processing device maychange the location of the first vertex 642 such that the first vertex642 is displayed at (v1 x, v1 y+(d2 y−d1 y)). The processing device mayalso change the location of the second vertex 644 such that the secondvertex 644 is displayed at (v2 x, v2 y−(d2 y−d1 y)). As described above,the processing device may display other points along the ellipse 638based on the new locations of the first vertex 642 and the second vertex644.

The processing device may update, based on a dragging movement, thelocation of the first vertex 642 at a sufficiently high rate such thatthe first vertex 642 appears to follow the dragging movement as thedragging movement proceeds. In other words, if a user touches his/herfinger to the first icon 640 and drags his/her finger across thetouch-sensitive display screen, the first vertex 642 may appear tofollow the user's finger. Because changing the location of the firstvertex 642 may be initiated in this example by the user touching his/herfinger to the first icon 640, which may be located a fixed distance awayfrom the first vertex 642, the first vertex 642 may be removed from theuser's finger by the fixed distance as the user drags his/her fingeracross the touch-sensitive display screen. Thus, as the user dragshis/her finger, the first vertex 642 may be visible to the user, and theuser may be able to determine when the first vertex 642 has moved to thedesired location and release his/her finger from the touch-sensitivedisplay to cause the first vertex 642 to remain in the desired location.The same discussion applies to the fourth vertex 648 and the second icon662.

After a dragging movement, the processing device may change the locationof the first icon 640 such that the first icon 640 is displayed a fixeddistance from the first vertex 642 along the direction defined by thefirst axis 674. For example, consider that after the dragging movement,the first vertex 642 is located at (v1 x, v1 y), the second vertex 644is located at (v2 x, v2 y), and the fixed distance is d. The newlocation (i1 x, i1 y) of the first icon 640 may satisfy the twoequations sqrt((i1 x−v1 x){circumflex over ( )}2+(i1 y−v1 y){circumflexover ( )}2)=d and (i1 y−v1 y)/(i1 x−v1 x)=(v1 y−v2 y)/(v1 x−v2 x). Itshould be noted that there may be two sets of solutions for these twoequations, and the solution chosen may be the one where (i1 y, i1 x) isnot within the ellipse 630, meaning that i1 x is not between v1 x and v2x, and i1 y is not between v1 y and v2 y.

In the simplified example described above, the direction defined by thefirst axis 674 is along the vertical direction of the touch-sensitivedisplay, but in the general case where the direction defined by thefirst axis 674 is rotated to an angle relative to the vertical directionof the touch-sensitive display, the expressions above may be modified toaccount for such rotation. In a similar manner as described aboveregarding changing the location of the first vertex 642, the secondvertex 644, and the first icon 640, the processing device may change thelocation of the third vertex 646, the fourth vertex 648, and the secondicon 662 based on a dragging movement that begins on or within athreshold distance of the second icon 662 and covers a certain distanceaway from/toward the ellipse 638 along the direction defined by thesecond axis 676.

FIG. 7 illustrates the example graphical user interface (GUI) 600 aftera dragging movement beginning on or within a threshold distance of thefirst icon 640 and covering a distance towards the ellipse 638 along thedirection of the first axis 674. Prior to the dragging movement, the GUI600 may have appeared as shown in FIG. 6 . The processing device haschanged the locations of the first vertex 642 and the second vertex 644from their locations in FIG. 6 . (In other words, the processing devicehas changed the length of the first axis 674.) As described above, theprocessing device may have changed the locations of the first vertex 642and the second vertex 644 by the distance covered by the draggingmovement along the direction defined by the first axis 674. Theprocessing device has also changed the location of the first icon 640from its location in FIG. 6 to be the fixed distance 650 away from thefirst vertex 674 along a direction defined by the first axis 674. Itshould be noted that the processing device has changed the measurementvalues depicted by the first measurement value indicator 656 and thesecond measurement value indication 658 from that shown in FIG. 6 basedon the change in length of the first axis 674 from FIG. 6 to FIG. 7 .

FIG. 8 illustrates the example graphical user interface (GUI) 600 aftera dragging movement beginning on or within a threshold distance of thesecond icon 662 and covering a distance towards the ellipse 638 alongthe direction of the second axis 676. Prior to the dragging movement,the GUI 600 may have appeared as shown in FIG. 7 . The processing devicehas changed the locations of the third vertex 646 and the fourth vertex648 from their locations in FIG. 7 . (In other words, the processingdevice has changed the length of the second axis 676.) As describedabove, the processing device may have changed the locations of the thirdvertex 646 and the fourth vertex 648 by the distance covered by thedragging movement along the direction defined by the second axis 676.The processing device has also changed the location of the second icon662 from its location in FIG. 7 to be the fixed distance 650 away fromthe fourth vertex 648 along a direction defined by the second axis 676.It should be noted that the processing device has changed themeasurement values depicted by the first measurement value indicator 656and the second measurement value indicator 658 from that shown in FIG. 7based on the change in length of the second axis 676 from FIG. 7 to FIG.8 .

In some embodiments, the processing device may change the position ofthe ellipse 638 based on a dragging movement that begins in the interiorof the ellipse 638, on the boundary of the ellipse 638, or within athreshold distance of the boundary of the ellipse 638. When the userperforms a dragging movement on the touch-sensitive display screen thatbegins at a starting location (d1 x, d1 y) in the interior of theellipse 638 or within a threshold distance of the boundary of theellipse 638 and ends at an ending location (d2 x, d2 y), the processingdevice may change the locations of every point on the ellipse 638, aswell as the first icon 640 and the second icon 662, by a distance of (d2x−d1 x, d2 y−d1 y). In some embodiments, rather than moving every pointon the ellipse 638 by a specific distance, the processing device maychange the locations of the center 664 of the ellipse 638, the firstvertex 642, the second vertex 644, the third vertex 646, and the fourthvertex 648 by the specific distance and display the rest of the ellipse638 based on these new locations using the Cartesian equation for anellipse 638.

FIG. 9 illustrates the example graphical user interface (GUI) 600 aftera dragging movement beginning in the interior of the ellipse 638 orwithin a threshold distance of the boundary of the ellipse 638. Prior tothe dragging movement, the GUI 600 may have appeared as shown in FIG. 8. The processing device has changed the position (but not theorientation or shape) of the ellipse 638 by the distance covered by thedragging movement. The processing device has also changed the locationof the first icon 640 from its location in FIG. 8 to be the fixeddistance 650 away from the first vertex 674 along a direction defined bythe first axis 674, and the location of the second icon 662 from itslocation in FIG. 8 to be the fixed distance 650 away from the fourthvertex 648 along a direction defined by the second axis 676.

In some embodiments, the processing device may rotate the ellipse 638based on a dragging movement that begins on or at the second icon 662and covers a distance along and/or a distance orthogonal to thedirection of the second axis 676 of the ellipse 638. FIG. 10 illustratesthe example graphical user interface (GUI) 600 after a dragging movementbeginning on or within a threshold distance of the second icon 662 andcovering a distance along and/or a distance orthogonal to the directionof the second axis 676. Prior to the dragging movement, the GUI 600 mayhave appeared as shown in FIG. 9 . As described above, the processingdevice has rotated the locations of every point of the ellipse 638 basedon the drag distance along and/or the drag distance orthogonal to thedirection of the second axis 676. The processing device has also changedthe location of the first icon 640 from its location in FIG. 4 to be thefixed distance 650 away from the first vertex 674 along a directiondefined by the first axis 674, and the location of the second icon 662from its location in FIG. 8 to be the fixed distance 650 away from thefourth vertex 648 along a direction defined by the second axis 676.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method for determining how much to rotate theellipse 638 based on the dragging movement, in accordance with certainembodiments described herein. The left side of FIG. 11 shows the ellipse638 before the dragging movement and the right side of FIG. 11 shows theellipse 638 after the dragging movement. For simplicity, before thedragging movement, the center location 664 is labeled C, the secondvertex 644 is labeled A, and the first vertex 642 is labeled B. Afterthe dragging movement, the center location 664 is labeled C′, thelocation of the second vertex 644 is labeled A′, the location of thefirst vertex 642 is labeled B′, and the location of the second icon 662is labeled D′. The dragging movement begins at the location of thesecond icon 662 and ends at a location separated from the previouslocation by a vector V (where V may have components along and/ororthogonal to the second axis 676). The processing device may determinethe location of C′ to be the same as C, namely, the center location 664may not change. The processing device may determine the location of A′to be A+V, in other words, the previous location of the second vertex644 plus the vector of the dragging movement. The processing device maydetermine the location of B′ to be C+normal(A′C)*length(BC). In otherwords, the new location of the first vertex 642 may be the centerlocation 664 plus a vector that has a length equal to the distancebetween the center location 664 and the previous location of the firstvertex 642, and a direction that is perpendicular to a vector betweenthe center location 664 and the new location of the second vertex 644.The processing device may determine new locations for the rest of thepoints on the ellipse 638 based on the new locations for the firstvertex 642 and the second vertex 644.

It should be appreciated from the above description of FIG. 11 thatrotations of the ellipse 638 may be controlled both by components of adrag distance beginning at or within a threshold distance of the secondicon 662 (in other words, the components of the vector V) that are alongthe direction of the second axis 676 and orthogonal to the direction ofthe second axis 676. As described above, a dragging movement beginningat or within a threshold distance of the second icon 662 and covering adistance along the direction of the second axis 676 may also control thelength of the second axis 676. Thus, a dragging movement beginning at orwithin a threshold distance of the second icon 662 and having only acomponent along the direction of the second axis 676 may only modify thelength of the second axis 676. A dragging movement beginning at orwithin a threshold distance of the second icon 662 and having componentsboth along and orthogonal to the direction of the second axis 676 maymodify both the length of the second axis 676 and the rotation of theellipse 638. The description of FIG. 11 may apply both to the generalcase of a dragging movement having components both along and orthogonalto the direction of the second axis 676, as well as the special case ofa dragging movement having a component only along the direction of thesecond axis 676. In some embodiments, the processing device may use adifferent method for determining how to rotate an ellipse than themethod illustrated by FIG. 11 .

The first arrow 652 and the second arrow 654 may serve to indicate to auser that the second icon 662 (as opposed to the first icon 640) can beused to rotate the ellipse 638. In some embodiments, the positioning ofthe first arrow 652 and the second arrow 654 may change as the shape ofthe ellipse 638 changes so that the arrows approximate the curvature ofthe ellipse 638.

It should be understood that in some embodiments, certain portions ofthe GUI 600 may be absent. For example, the second arrow 654, the firstarrow 652, the first measurement value indicator 656, the secondmeasurement value indicator 658, and/or the delete option 660 may beabsent. In some embodiments, the first measurement value indicator 656and/or the second measurement value indicator 658 may have differentforms than shown and/or be located at a different locations on thetouch-sensitive display screen. Additionally, while the GUI 600 showscertain other features that are not described herein (e.g., certainbuttons or indicators), in some embodiments such features may be absentor different.

While the above description has described that a processing device mayperform certain calculations using pixels, in some embodiments theprocessing device may perform calculations using points. It should benoted that certain calculations described herein may produce fractionalpixel results. In some embodiments, fractional pixel results may berounded to a whole pixel. In some embodiments, the processing device mayuse antialiasing to interpret pixel values for a fractional pixel result(e.g., to interpret pixel values for pixels (1, 1) and (2, 1) when acalculation indicates that something should be displayed at pixel (1.5,1)). As described above, the processing device may change the locationof one feature of a measurement tool (e.g., a line or an ellipse) basedon a dragging movement that begins on or within a threshold distance ofa certain feature. In some embodiments, the distance may be measured inpixels (e.g., 30 pixels). While the above description has described atouch-sensitive display screen, in some embodiments the screen may notbe touch-sensitive display screen, and a click and drag of a cursor(e.g., using a mouse) may be the equivalent of a dragging movement.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example GUI 1200 that may be shown whenultrasound data is being collected, in accordance with certainembodiments described herein. The GUI 1200 depicts the most recentultrasound image 120 collected by the processing device from theultrasound device. As further ultrasound images 120 are collected, theprocessing device may continuously update the GUI 1200 to depict themost recent ultrasound image 120 collected. The GUI 1200 furtherincludes a freeze option 1226.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example GUI 1300 that may be shown upon selectionof the freeze option 1226, in accordance with certain embodimentsdescribed herein. The GUI 1300 depicts the most recent ultrasound image120 collected by the processing device from the ultrasound device whenthe freeze option 1226 was selected. In other words, the processingdevice freezes the most recent ultrasound 120 on the GUI 1300, and theprocessing device may not update the GUI 1300 with ultrasound images 120that are collected subsequently. In the GUI 1300, the freeze option 1226can have a different color or pattern, which may indicate that the GUI1300 is currently showing a frozen ultrasound image 120. Additionally,the GUI 1300 depicts a measurement option 1328.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example GUI 1400 that may be shown upon selectionof the measurement option 1328, in accordance with certain embodimentsdescribed herein. The GUI 1400 can depict the freeze option 1226 havinga different color or pattern as explained with respect to FIG. 13 , aswell as a label option 1430, an ellipse measurement option 1432, a linemeasurement option 1434, and a menu close option 1436. Upon selection ofthe label option 1430, the processing device may display a GUI enablinga user to place labels on the ultrasound image 130. Upon selection ofthe ellipse measurement option 1432, the processing device may displaythe GUI 600, with the ellipse 638, the first icon 640, and the secondicon 662 shown in default positions. Upon selection of the linemeasurement option 1434, the processing device may display the GUI 100,with the line 102, the first icon 104, and the second icon 106 shown indefault positions. Upon selection of the menu close option 1436, theprocessing device may display the GUI 1300 (i.e., remove from displaythe label option 1430, the ellipse measurement option 1432, and the linemeasurement option 1434).

FIGS. 15-19 illustrate example processes for performing measurements onan ultrasound image, in accordance with certain embodiments describedherein. The processes may be performed by a processing device in anultrasound system. The processing device may be, for example, a mobilephone, tablet, or laptop in operative communication with an ultrasoundprobe. The ultrasound probe and the processing device may communicateover a wired communication link (e.g., over Ethernet, a Universal SerialBus (USB) cable or a Lightning cable) or over a wireless communicationlink (e.g., over a BLUETOOTH, WiFi, or ZIGBEE wireless communicationlink).

FIG. 15 illustrates an example process 1500 for performing measurementson an ultrasound image based on a line, in accordance with certainembodiments described herein. Further description of the process 1500may be found with reference to FIGS. 1-5 .

In act 1502, the processing device displays, on a touch-sensitivedisplay screen, (1) an ultrasound image, (2) a line extending between afirst endpoint and a second endpoint and (3) an icon located a fixeddistance from the first endpoint along a direction defined by the line.The process 1500 proceeds from act 1502 to act 1504.

In act 1504, the processing device detects a dragging movement coveringa distance in the horizontal direction and/or a distance in the verticaldirection across the touch-sensitive display screen, where the draggingmovement begins on or within a threshold distance of the icon. Theprocess 1500 proceeds from act 1504 to act 1506.

In act 1506, the processing device displays the first endpoint at a newlocation on the touch-sensitive display screen that is removed from theendpoint's previous location by the distance in the horizontal directionand/or the distance in the vertical direction covered by the draggingmovement. The process 1500 proceeds from act 1506 to act 1508.

In act 1508, the processing device displays the icon at a new locationon the touch-sensitive display screen that is removed from the newlocation of the first endpoint by the fixed distance along the directiondefined by the line. The process 1500 proceeds from act 1508 to act1510.

In act 1510, the processing device performs a measurement on theultrasound image based on the line. For example, the processing devicemay perform a calculation of the spatial length represented by theultrasound image between the first endpoint and the second endpoint ofthe line. In some embodiments, the processing device may display theresult of the measurement.

In some embodiments, certain acts of the process 1500 may be absent. Forexample, in some embodiments, act 1510 may be absent. In someembodiments, acts 1504-1510 may be absent. In some embodiments, acts1504-1508 may be absent. In some embodiments, other combinations of actsmay be absent.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example process 1600 for performing measurementson an ultrasound image based on a line, in accordance with certainembodiments described herein. Further description of the process 1600may be found with reference to FIG. 4 .

In act 1602, the processing device displays, on a touch-sensitivedisplay screen, (1) an ultrasound image and (2) a line extending betweena first endpoint and a second endpoint. The process 1600 proceeds fromact 1602 to act 1604.

In act 1604, the processing device detects a dragging movement coveringa distance in the horizontal direction and/or a distance in the verticaldirection across the touch-sensitive display screen, where the draggingmovement begins on or within a threshold distance of the line. Theprocess 1600 proceeds from act 1604 to act 1606.

In act 1606, the processing device displays both the first endpoint andthe second endpoint of the line at new locations on the touch-sensitivedisplay screen that are removed from their previous locations by thedistance in the horizontal direction and/or the distance in the verticaldirection. The process 1600 proceeds from act 1606 to act 1608.

In act 1608, the processing device performs a measurement on theultrasound image based on the line. For example, the processing devicemay perform a calculation of the spatial length represented by theultrasound image between the first endpoint and the second endpoint ofthe line. In some embodiments, the processing device may display theresult of the measurement.

In some embodiments, certain acts of the process 1600 may be absent. Forexample, in some embodiments, act 1608 may be absent. In someembodiments, acts 1604-1608 may be absent. In some embodiments, acts1604-1606 may be absent. In some embodiments, other combinations of actsmay be absent.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example process 1700 for performing measurementson an ultrasound image based on an ellipse, in accordance with certainembodiments described herein. Further description of the process 1700may be found with reference to FIGS. 6-8 .

In act 1702, the processing device displays, on a touch-sensitivedisplay screen, (1) an ultrasound image, (2) an ellipse having an axisthat is either the major or minor axis of the ellipse, where the axisextends between a first vertex and a second vertex; and (3) an iconlocated a fixed distance from the first vertex along a direction definedby the axis. The process 1700 proceeds from act 1702 to act 1704.

In act 1704, the processing device detects a dragging movement coveringa distance along the direction defined by the axis of the ellipse acrossthe touch-sensitive display screen, where the dragging movement beginson or within a threshold distance of the icon. The process 1700 proceedsfrom act 1704 to act 1706.

In act 1706, the processing device displays the first vertex at a newlocation on the touch-sensitive display screen that is removed from thefirst vertex's previous location by the distance along the directiondefined by the axis of the ellipse covered by the dragging movement. Theprocess 1700 proceeds from act 1706 to act 1708.

In act 1708, the processing device displays the second vertex at a newlocation on the touch-sensitive display screen that is removed from thesecond vertex's previous location by the distance along the directiondefined by the axis of the ellipse covered by the dragging movement. Theprocess 1700 proceeds from act 1708 to act 1710.

In act 1710, the processing device displays the icon at a new locationon the touch-sensitive display screen that is removed from the firstvertex's new location by the fixed distance along the direction definedby the axis of the ellipse. The process 1700 proceeds from act 1710 toact 1712.

In act 1712, the processing device performs a measurement on theultrasound image based on the ellipse. For example, the processingdevice may perform a calculation of the spatial length represented bythe ultrasound image along the circumference of the ellipse or acalculation of the spatial area represented by the ultrasound imagewithin the ellipse. In some embodiments, the processing device maydisplay the result of the measurement.

In some embodiments, certain acts of the process 1700 may be absent. Forexample, in some embodiments, act 1712 may be absent. In someembodiments, acts 1704-1712 may be absent. In some embodiments, acts1704-1710 may be absent. In some embodiments, other combinations of actsmay be absent.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example process 1800 for performing measurementson an ultrasound image based on an ellipse, in accordance with certainembodiments described herein. Further description of the process 1800may be found with reference to FIGS. 10-11 .

In act 1802, the processing device displays, on a touch-sensitivedisplay screen, (1) an ultrasound image, (2) an ellipse having an axisthat is either the major or minor axis of the ellipse, where the axisextends between a first vertex and a second vertex; and (3) an iconlocated a fixed distance from the first vertex along a direction definedby the axis. The process 1800 proceeds from act 1802 to act 1804.

In act 1804, the processing device detects a dragging movement coveringa distance along and/or a distance orthogonal to the direction definedby the axis of the ellipse across the touch-sensitive display screen,where the dragging movement begins on or within a threshold distance ofthe icon. The process 1800 proceeds from act 1804 to act 1806.

In act 1806, the processing device displays the first vertex and thesecond vertex at new locations on the touch-sensitive display screenthat are rotated from their previous locations based on the distancealong and/or the distance orthogonal to the direction defined by theaxis of the ellipse that is covered by the dragging movement. Theprocess 1800 proceeds from act 1806 to act 1808.

In act 1808, the processing device displays the icon at a new locationon the touch-sensitive display screen that is removed from the firstvertex's new location by the fixed distance along the direction definedby the axis of the ellipse. The process 1800 proceeds from act 1808 toact 1810.

In act 1810, the processing device performs a measurement on theultrasound image based on the ellipse. For example, the processingdevice may perform a calculation of the spatial length represented bythe ultrasound image along the circumference of the ellipse or acalculation of the spatial area represented by the ultrasound imagewithin the ellipse. In some embodiments, the processing device maydisplay the result of the measurement.

in some embodiments, certain acts of the process 1800 may be absent. Forexample, in some embodiments, act 1810 may be absent. In someembodiments, acts 1804-1810 may be absent. In some embodiments, acts1804-1808 may be absent. In some embodiments, other combinations of actsmay be absent.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example process 1900 for performing measurementson an ultrasound image based on an ellipse, in accordance with certainembodiments described herein. Further description of the process 1900may be found with reference to FIG. 9 .

In act 1902, the processing device displays, on a touch-sensitivedisplay screen, (1) an ultrasound image, (2) an ellipse having an axisthat is either the major or minor axis of the ellipse, wherein the axisextends between a first vertex and a second vertex; and (3) an iconlocated a fixed distance from the first vertex along a direction definedby the axis. The process 1900 proceeds from act 1902 to act 1904.

In act 1904, the processing device detects a dragging movement coveringdistance in the horizontal direction and; or a distance in the verticaldirection across the touch-sensitive display screen, where the draggingmovement begins in the interior of the ellipse or within a thresholddistance of the boundary of the ellipse. The process 1900 proceeds fromact 1904 to act 1906.

In act 1906, the processing device displays the first vertex and thesecond vertex at new locations on the touch-sensitive display screenthat are removed from their previous locations by the distance in thehorizontal direction and/or the distance in the vertical directioncovered by the dragging movement. The process 1900 proceeds from act1906 to act 1908.

In act 1908, the processing device performs a measurement performed onthe ultrasound image based on the ellipse. For example, the processingdevice may perform a calculation of the spatial length represented bythe ultrasound image along the circumference of the ellipse or acalculation of the spatial area represented by the ultrasound imagewithin the ellipse. In some embodiments, the processing device maydisplay the result of the measurement.

In some embodiments, certain acts of the process 1900 may be absent. Forexample, in some embodiments, act 1910 may be absent. In someembodiments, acts 1904-1910 may be absent. In some embodiments, acts1904-1908 may be absent. In some embodiments, other combinations of actsmay be absent.

The above description has described that a user may modify measurementtools (e.g., a line or an ellipse) through dragging movements that beginon or within a threshold distance of an icon that is located a fixeddistance from a portion of the measurement tool. In some embodiments,one or more of the icons described above may be absent, and a user maymodify measurement tools through dragging movements that begin on orwithin a threshold distance of a region of the touch-sensitive displayscreen that is located the fixed distance from the portion of themeasurement tool, even though the region does not contain an icon.

The above description has described modifying measurement tools (e.g., aline or an ellipse) based on a distance in the horizontal and/orvertical direction covered by a dragging movement. In some embodiments,the processing device may modify measurement tools based on taps. Inparticular, a user may tap an icon and then another location on thetouch-sensitive display screen. The processing device may then modifythe measurement tool based on the distance in the horizontal and/orvertical direction between the two tapped locations.

Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more processes, ofwhich examples have been provided. The acts performed as part of eachprocess may be ordered in any suitable way. Thus, embodiments may beconstructed in which acts are performed in an order different thanillustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, eventhough shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments. Further,one or more of the processes may be combined and/or omitted, and one ormore of the processes may include additional steps.

FIG. 20 illustrates a schematic block diagram illustrating aspects of anexample ultrasound system 2000 upon which various aspects of thetechnology described herein may be practiced. For example, one or morecomponents of the ultrasound system 2000 may perform any of theprocesses described herein. As shown, the ultrasound system 2000includes processing circuitry 2001, input/output devices 2003,ultrasound circuitry 2005, and memory circuitry 2007.

The ultrasound circuitry 2005 may be configured to generate ultrasounddata that may be employed to generate an ultrasound image. Theultrasound circuitry 2005 may include one or more ultrasonic transducersmonolithically integrated onto a single semiconductor die. Theultrasonic transducers may include, for example, one or more capacitivemicromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs), one or more CMOSultrasonic transducers (CUTs), one or more piezoelectric micromachinedultrasonic transducers (PMUTs), and/or one or more other suitableultrasonic transducer cells. In some embodiments, the ultrasonictransducers may be formed the same chip as other electronic componentsin the ultrasound circuitry 2005 (e.g., transmit circuitry, receivecircuitry, control circuitry, power management circuitry, and processingcircuitry) to form a monolithic ultrasound imaging device.

The processing circuitry 2001 may be configured to perform any of thefunctionality described herein. The processing circuitry 2001 mayinclude one or more processors (e.g., computer hardware processors). Toperform one or more functions, the processing circuitry 2001 may executeone or more processor-executable instructions stored in the memorycircuitry 2007. The memory circuitry 2007 may be used for storingprograms and data during operation of the ultrasound system 2000. Thememory circuitry 2007 may include one or more storage devices such asnon-transitory computer-readable storage media. The processing circuitry2001 may control writing data to and reading data from the memorycircuitry 2007 in any suitable manner.

In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 2001 may includespecially-programmed and/or special-purpose hardware such as anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). For example, theprocessing circuitry 2001 may include one or more graphics processingunits (GPUs) and/or one or more tensor processing units (TPUs). TPUs maybe ASICs specifically designed for machine learning (e.g., deeplearning). The TPUs may be employed to, for example, accelerate theinference phase of a neural network.

The input/output (I/O) devices 2003 may be configured to facilitatecommunication with other systems and/or an operator. Example I/O devices2003 that may facilitate communication with an operator include: akeyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a microphone, a touch-sensitive displayscreen, a printing device, a display screen, a speaker, and a vibrationdevice. Example I/O devices 2003 that may facilitate communication withother systems include wired and/or wireless communication circuitry suchas BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE, Ethernet, WiFi, and/or USB communicationcircuitry.

It should be appreciated that the ultrasound system 2000 may beimplemented using any number of devices. For example, the components ofthe ultrasound system 2000 may be integrated into a single device. Inanother example, the ultrasound circuitry 2005 may be integrated into anultrasound imaging device that is communicatively coupled with aprocessing device that includes the processing circuitry 2001, theinput/output devices 2003, and the memory circuitry 2007.

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram illustrating aspects of anotherexample ultrasound system 2100 upon which various aspects of thetechnology described herein may be practiced. For example, one or morecomponents of the ultrasound system 2100 may perform any of theprocesses described herein. As shown, the ultrasound system 2100includes an ultrasound imaging device 2114 in wired and/or wirelesscommunication with a processing device 2102. The processing device 2102includes an audio output device 2104, an imaging device 2106, a displayscreen 2108, a processor 2110, a memory 2112, and a vibration device2109. The processing device 2102 may communicate with one or moreexternal devices over a network 2116. For example, the processing device2102 may communicate with one or more workstations 2120, servers 2118,and/or databases 2122.

The ultrasound imaging device 2114 may be configured to generateultrasound data that may be employed to generate an ultrasound image.The ultrasound imaging device 2114 may be constructed in any of avariety of ways. In some embodiments, the ultrasound imaging device 2114includes a transmitter that transmits a signal to a transmit beamformerwhich in turn drives transducer elements within a transducer array toemit pulsed ultrasonic signals into a structure, such as a patient. Thepulsed ultrasonic signals may be back-scattered from structures in thebody, such as blood cells or muscular tissue, to produce echoes thatreturn to the transducer elements. These echoes may then be convertedinto electrical signals by the transducer elements and the electricalsignals are received by a receiver. The electrical signals representingthe received echoes are sent to a receive beamformer that outputsultrasound data.

The processing device 2102 may be configured to process the ultrasounddata from the ultrasound imaging device 2114 to generate ultrasoundimages for display on the display screen 2108. The processing may beperformed by, for example, the processor 2110. The processor 2110 mayalso be adapted to control the acquisition of ultrasound data with theultrasound imaging device 2114. The ultrasound data may be processed inreal-time during a scanning session as the echo signals are received. Insome embodiments, the displayed ultrasound image may be updated a rateof at least 5 Hz, at least 10 Hz, at least 20 Hz, at a rate between 5and 60 Hz, at a rate of more than 20 Hz. For example, ultrasound datamay be acquired even as images are being generated based on previouslyacquired data and while a live ultrasound image is being displayed. Asadditional ultrasound data is acquired, additional frames or imagesgenerated from more-recently acquired ultrasound data are sequentiallydisplayed. Additionally, or alternatively, the ultrasound data may bestored temporarily in a buffer during a scanning session and processedin less than real-time.

Additionally (or alternatively), the processing device 2102 may beconfigured to perform any of the processes described herein (e.g., usingthe processor 2110). For example, the processing device 2102 may beconfigured to automatically determine an anatomical feature being imagedand automatically select, based on the anatomical feature being imaged,an ultrasound imaging preset corresponding to the anatomical feature. Asshown, the processing device 2102 may include one or more elements thatmay be used during the performance of such processes. For example, theprocessing device 2102 may include one or more processors 2110 (e.g.,computer hardware processors) and one or more articles of manufacturethat include non-transitory computer-readable storage media such as thememory 2112. The processor 2110 may control writing data to and readingdata from the memory 2112 in any suitable manner. To perform any of thefunctionality described herein, the processor 2110 may execute one ormore processor-executable instructions stored in one or morenon-transitory computer-readable storage media (e.g., the memory 2112),which may serve as non-transitory computer-readable storage mediastoring processor-executable instructions for execution by the processor2110.

In some embodiments, the processing device 2102 may include one or moreinput and/or output devices such as the audio output device 2104, theimaging device 2106, the display screen 2108, and the vibration device2109. The audio output device 2104 may be a device that is configured toemit audible sound such as a speaker. The imaging device 2106 may beconfigured to detect light (e.g., visible light) to form an image suchas a camera. The display screen 2108 may be configured to display imagesand/or videos such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display,and/or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. The displayscreen 2018 may be a touch-sensitive display screen. The vibrationdevice 2109 may be configured to vibrate one or more components of theprocessing device 2102 to provide tactile feedback. These input and/oroutput devices may be communicatively coupled to the processor 2110and/or under the control of the processor 2110. The processor 2110 maycontrol these devices in accordance with a process being executed by theprocess 2110 (such as the processes shown in FIGS. 15-19 ). Similarly,the processor 2110 may control the audio output device 2104 to issueaudible instructions and/or control the vibration device 2109 to changean intensity of tactile feedback (e.g., vibration) to issue tactileinstructions. Additionally (or alternatively), the processor 2110 maycontrol the imaging device 2106 to capture non-acoustic images of theultrasound imaging device 2114 being used on a subject to provide anoperator of the ultrasound imaging device 2114 an augmented realityinterface.

It should be appreciated that the processing device 2102 may beimplemented in any of a variety of ways. For example, the processingdevice 2102 may be implemented as a handheld device such as a mobilesmartphone or a tablet. Thereby, an operator of the ultrasound imagingdevice 2114 may be able to operate the ultrasound imaging device 2114with one hand and hold the processing device 2102 with another hand. Inother examples, the processing device 2102 may be implemented as aportable device that is not a handheld device such as a laptop. In yetother examples, the processing device 2102 may be implemented as astationary device such as a desktop computer.

In some embodiments, the processing device 2102 may communicate with oneor more external devices via the network 2116. The processing device2102 may be connected to the network 2116 over a wired connection (e.g.,via an Ethernet cable) and/or a wireless connection (e.g., over a WiFinetwork). As shown in FIG. 21 , these external devices may includeservers 2118, workstations 2120, and/or databases 2122. The processingdevice 2102 may communicate with these devices to, for example, off-loadcomputationally intensive tasks. For example, the processing device 2102may send an ultrasound image over the network 2116 to the server 2118for analysis (e.g., to identify an anatomical feature in the ultrasound)and receive the results of the analysis from the server 2118.Additionally (or alternatively), the processing device 2102 maycommunicate with these devices to access information that is notavailable locally and/or update a central information repository. Forexample, the processing device 2102 may access the medical records of asubject being imaged with the ultrasound imaging device 2114 from a filestored in the database 2122. In this example, the processing device 2102may also provide one or more captured ultrasound images of the subjectto the database 2122 to add to the medical record of the subject. Forfurther description of ultrasound imaging devices and systems, see U.S.Patent Application Publication No. US20170360397A1 titled “UNIVERSALULTRASOUND DEVICE AND RELATED APPARATUS AND METHODS.”

Various aspects of the present disclosure may be used alone, incombination, or in a variety of arrangements not specifically discussedin the embodiments described in the foregoing and is therefore notlimited in its application to the details and arrangement of componentsset forth in the foregoing description or illustrated in the drawings.For example, aspects described in one embodiment stay be combined in anymanner with aspects described in other embodiments.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in theclaims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements soconjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some casesand disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” ofthe elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be presentother than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause,whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in theclaims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote anypriority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or thetemporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are usedmerely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain namefrom another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinalterm) to distinguish the claim elements.

The terms “approximately” and “about” may be used to mean within ±20% ofa target value in some embodiments, within ±10% of a target value insome embodiments, within ±5% of a target value in some embodiments, andyet within ±2% of a target value in some embodiments. The terms“approximately” and “about” may include the target value.

Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing,” “involving,” andvariations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listedthereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

Having described above several aspects of at least one embodiment, it isto be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvementswill readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations,modifications, and improvements are intended to be object of thisdisclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are byway of example only.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a processing device inoperative communication with an ultrasound device, the processing deviceconfigured to: cause a display on a touch-sensitive display screen ofthe processing device, wherein the display comprises an ultrasoundimage, a movable measurement tool including an ellipse having an axisthat is either a major axis or a minor axis of the ellipse, wherein theaxis extends between a first vertex and a second vertex of the ellipse,and an icon that maintains a fixed distance from a portion of themeasurement tool, wherein the icon does not overlap the measurement tooland wherein the icon maintains the fixed distance from the first vertexof the ellipse along a direction defined by the axis; or the displaycomprises the ultrasound image, the moveable measurement tool includes aline extending between a first endpoint and a second endpoint, and theicon maintains a fixed distance from a respective one of the firstendpoint and second endpoint of the line along a direction defined bythe line; use the icon to modify the measurement tool; wherein, in acase when the measurement tool includes the ellipse, the processingdevice is further configured to use the icon to modify the measurementtool by controlling a length of the axis of the ellipse that includesthe first vertex and to detect a dragging movement covering a distancealong the direction defined by the axis of the ellipse across thetouch-sensitive display screen, wherein the dragging movement begins onor within a threshold distance of the icon; cause a display of the firstvertex at a new location on the touch-sensitive display screen that isremoved from the first vertex's previous location by the distance alongthe direction defined by the axis of the ellipse; cause a display of thesecond vertex at a new location on the touch-sensitive display screenthat is removed from the second vertex's previous location by thedistance along the direction defined by the axis of the ellipse; cause adisplay of the icon at a new location on the touch-sensitive displayscreen that is removed from the first vertex's new location by the fixeddistance along the direction defined by the axis of the ellipse; andperform a measurement on the ultrasound image based on the ellipse; orwherein, in a case when the measurement tool includes the line, theprocessing device is further configured to: use the icon to modify themeasurement tool by controlling a position of the first endpoint of theline and to detect a dragging movement covering a distance in ahorizontal direction and/or a distance in a vertical direction acrossthe touch-sensitive display screen, wherein the dragging movement beginson or within a threshold distance of the icon; cause a display of thefirst endpoint at a new location on the touch-sensitive display screenthat is removed from the first endpoint's previous location by thedistance in the horizontal direction and/or the distance in the verticaldirection; cause a display of the icon at a new location on thetouch-sensitive display screen that is removed from the new location ofthe first endpoint by the fixed distance along the direction defined bythe line; and perform a measurement on the ultrasound image based on theline.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, in the case when themeasurement tool includes the ellipse, the processing device is furtherconfigured to modify the icon to control a rotation of the ellipse bydetecting a dragging movement covering a distance orthogonal to thedirection defined by the axis of the ellipse across the touch-sensitivedisplay screen, wherein the dragging movement begins on or within athreshold distance of the icon; and display the first vertex and thesecond vertex at new locations on the touch-sensitive display screenthat are rotated from their previous locations based on the distancethat is along and/or the distance that is orthogonal to the directiondefined by the axis of the ellipse.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein, in the case when the measurement tool includes the ellipse, theprocessing device is further configured to: detect a dragging movementcovering a distance in a horizontal direction and/or a verticaldirection across the touch-sensitive display screen, wherein thedragging movement begins in an interior of the ellipse or within athreshold distance of a boundary of the ellipse; and display the firstvertex and the second vertex at new locations on the touch-sensitivedisplay screen that are removed from their previous locations by thedistance in the horizontal direction and/or the distance in the verticaldirection.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the measurement tooloverlays the ultrasound image.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theicon comprises a circle.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the processoris configured to perform a measurement comprising a calculation of aspatial length represented by an ultrasound image along a circumferenceof the ellipse of the movable measurement tool.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein the processor is configured to perform a measurementcomprising a calculation of a spatial area represented by an ultrasoundimage bounded within a circumference of the ellipse of the movablemeasurement tool.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the processor isconfigured to perform a measurement and display a result of themeasurement on the touch-sensitive display screen.
 9. A method,comprising: displaying on a touch-sensitive display screen of aprocessing device in operative communication with an ultrasound device,wherein the display comprises an ultrasound image, a movable measurementtool that includes an ellipse having an axis that is either a major axisor a minor axis of the ellipse, wherein the axis extends between a firstvertex and a second vertex of the ellipse, and an icon that maintains afixed distance from a portion of the measurement to wherein the icondoes not overlap the measurement tool; and wherein the icon maintainsthe fixed distance from the first vertex of the ellipse along adirection defined by the axis, or the display comprises the ultrasoundimage, the moveable measurement tool that includes a line extendingbetween a first endpoint and a second endpoint, and the icon thatmaintains a fixed distance from a respective one of the first endpointand second endpoint of the line along a direction defined by the line;in a case when the measurement tool includes the ellipse, using the iconto modify the measurement tool by controlling a length of the axis ofthe ellipse that includes the first vertex and to detect a draggingmovement covering a distance along the direction defined by the axis ofthe ellipse across the touch-sensitive display screen, wherein thedragging movement begins on or within a threshold distance of the icon;displaying the first vertex at a new location on the touch-sensitivedisplay screen that is removed from the first vertex's previous locationby the distance along the direction defined by the axis of the ellipse;displaying the second vertex at a new location on the touch-sensitivedisplay screen that is removed from the second vertex's previouslocation by the distance along the direction defined by the axis of theellipse; and displaying the icon at a new location on thetouch-sensitive display screen that is removed from the first vertex'snew location by the fixed distance along the direction defined by theaxis of the ellipse; and performing a measurement on the ultrasoundimage based on the ellipse; or in a case when the measurement toolincludes the line, using the icon to modify the measurement tool bycontrolling the position of the first endpoint of the line and to detecta dragging movement covering a distance in a horizontal direction and/ora distance in a vertical direction across the touch-sensitive displayscreen, wherein the dragging movement begins on or within a thresholddistance of the icon; displaying the first endpoint at a new location onthe touch-sensitive display screen that is removed from the firstendpoint's previous location by the distance in the horizontal directionand/or the distance in the vertical direction; displaying the icon at anew location on the touch-sensitive display screen that is removed fromthe new location of the first endpoint or second endpoint by the fixeddistance along the direction defined by the line; and performing ameasurement on the ultrasound image based on the line.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising, in the case when the measurement toolincludes the ellipse, modifying the icon to control a rotation of theellipse by detecting a dragging movement covering a distance orthogonalto the direction defined by the axis of the ellipse across thetouch-sensitive display screen, wherein the dragging movement begins onor within a threshold distance of the icon; and displaying the firstvertex and the second vertex at new locations on the touch-sensitivedisplay screen that are rotated from their previous locations based onthe distance that is along and/or the distance that is orthogonal to thedirection defined by the axis of the ellipse.
 11. The method of claim 9,further comprising: in the case when the measurement tool includes theellipse, detecting a dragging movement covering a distance in ahorizontal direction and/or a vertical direction across thetouch-sensitive display screen, wherein the dragging movement begins inan interior of the ellipse or within a threshold distance of a boundaryof the ellipse; and displaying the first vertex and the second vertex atnew locations on the touch-sensitive display screen that are removedfrom their previous locations by the distance in the horizontaldirection and/or the distance in the vertical direction.
 12. The methodof claim 9, wherein the measurement tool overlays the ultrasound image.13. The method of claim 9, wherein the icon comprises a circle.